Jet Set Radio Archive

After Sega discontinued the Dreamcast, they spread their development efforts across the competing consoles. One of the titles the Xbox got was Jet Set Radio Future, a sequel to the cult hit Jet Set Radio. It’s a little bit different from the original, offering way bigger stages and a little less emphasis on tagging.

Jet Set Radio is the game that set the bar for cel-shaded graphics, but underneath that cartoony aesthetic was a unique experience combining futuristic skates, madcap police captains and graffiti. It also has a particularly cool soundtrack.

Those anxiously awaiting the release of Jet Set Radio HD will be happy to know that Sega have finally set both a date and price for the title.

Come 18 September, PlayStation Network users can get their grubby or not-so grubby mitts on the game – with Playstation Plus subscribers getting it a full week earlier (on 11 September). Unfortunately, those planning to pick it up for the Vita will have to wait until 16 October. Both the PSN and Vita versions of the game will set you back US$9.99/£6.49/€7.99.

Jet Set Radio HD via Xbox LIVE Arcade and Steam will be available 19 September for 800 Microsoft Points/US$9.99/£5.99/€6.49. There is currently no release information for the iOS and Android versions.

Sega has revealed it will be releasing Jet Set Radio for iOS and Android alongside the Xbox Live Arcade, PlayStation Network and PC (via Steam) versions.

Jet Set Radio for iOS and Android includes OpenFeint support and the ability to create in-game graffiti using your device’s camera – this is in addition to the widescreen HD graphics, new camera system, online leaderboards and original game’s soundtrack featured in the other versions of the HD port.

Sega has announced that the hotly anticipated HD remaster of Jet Set Radio will be coming to the PlayStation Vita.

The Vita version will apparently had feature parity with the home console version, as well touch functionality for the graffiti component of the game.

“The fan reaction to our recent reveal of Jet Set Radio has been incredible!” said Haruki Satomi, Senior Vice President of Digital Business at SEGA. “As Jet Set Radio is focused on creativity, the touch capabilities of the PlayStation VITA are proving to be a perfect fit.”

Looks like a little bit more effort is going into Jet Set Radio HD than the other Dreamcast ports that have been released in recent times. I guess we will know for sure when it is released in the middle of the year.

Sega has teased via their community blog that Jet Set Radio will be the next Dreamcast game to see an Xbox Live Arcade and PlayStation Network release.

Jet Set Radio is a fan favourite from the Dreamcast era. It was one of the first games to execute cel-shading particularly well – but you can’t overlook its stellar soundtrack and fantastic game world either.

Given the quality of recent Dreamcast XBLA/PSN releases, I wouldn’t be getting my hopes up too high, but you can always grab the original game for a pittance on eBay.

Jet Set Radio was one of the most memorable games on the Dreamcast, thanks in large to its unique cel-shaded aesthetic, fantastic soundtrack and goddamn weird game world. You can get a new/sealed PAL copy on eBay for an absolute pittance.